Establishing minimum counts for semiquantitative bank‐to‐bank river transect mussel studies in species‐poor rivers

Riverine mussel investigations involve laborious fieldwork, yet acquiring adequate sample sizes is of high importance. This paper presents the calculated minimum sample size required for the bank‐to‐bank transect method in species‐poor rivers. Data were collected from 50 transect dives from four Finnish rivers, and individual‐based rarefaction calculations were used to detect the minimum sample size at which the number of new species plateaus (i.e., species richness curve reaches an asymptote). The results indicate that a minimum of 100 mussels per transect is necessary for general semiquantitative investigations using bank‐to‐bank transect surveys. Because riverine systems typically exhibit high variation in habitats, expert evaluation should always be used to determine the number and location of transects. The effort must be increased if very rare species need to be collected.     

Flooding tolerance of Sagittaria latifolia and Sagittaria rigida under controlled laboratory conditions

Pool‐scale growing‐season water‐level reductions (drawdowns) have been implemented on the Upper Mississippi River in an effort to improve fish and wildlife habitat. Aquatic vegetation is a key habitat component, with perennial emergent species, such as Sagittaria latifolia and Sagittaria rigida, especially important. River managers have assumed the need for continuous drawdown during the growing season with limited reflooding and used this guidance in assessing the potential for an ecologically successful drawdown. However, information on the effects of growing‐season flooding episodes on survival and growth of Sagittaria is limited. To assess the flooding tolerance of S. latifolia and S. rigida, we evaluated multiple levels of timing, duration, and depth on survival and productivity of plants. Plants were produced from S. latifolia and S. rigida seeds and S. latifolia tubers; all were reared under moist‐soil or shallow‐flooded rearing conditions. Mortality of plants was low (2%) among plants from large tubers, low (7%) among seedlings (and largely associated with early flooding treatments), and modest (11%) among plants from small tubers (with no clear effects of inundation). Flooding treatments generally had a positive effect on biomass production from seedlings, particularly when treatments occurred early, were relatively shallow, and were short in duration. There were no clear effects of depth, duration, or timing components of flooding treatments on plant biomass arising from tubers. This experiment indicates that S. latifolia and S. rigida are relatively tolerant of flooding events during the growing season and may actually benefit from some level of inundation.     

Optimizing a Standardized Electrofishing Sampling Protocol for Warmwater Resident Sportfish in the Tallapoosa River,Alabama, USA

A two‐year electrofishing study was initiated in the Tallapoosa River, Alabama, to identify an optimal standardized sampling program for three principal resident sportfish: Alabama bass Micropterus henshalli, redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus, and redeye bass Micropterus coosae. Samples were conducted in spring (May), summer (July), and fall (October) in 2010 and 2011 from seven 1‐h transects. Spring samples of Alabama bass had lower catch per effort (CPE) and were more skewed towards fish between 200 and 300 mm total length (TL) than samples in other seasons; whereas, fall samples collected more redeye bass >200 mm TL but CPE was similar among seasons. Fewer, but larger, redbreast sunfish were sampled during fall compared with other seasons. Mean CPE of all three species was independent of transect duration. The total time spent electrofishing and processing fish in order to estimate a mean CPE with a specified precision was a function of transect duration and CPE. More effort was needed as CPE decreased for most species, but the relations between transect duration and total effort were parabolic. A precision of within 10% of the mean CPE was unattainable for most species as a result of logistic considerations. Based on the results of this study, it appears that fall is the optimal sampling time for these species in the Tallapoosa River and the optimal transect duration is likely 10 min. At a precision level of 20% of the mean, the number of 10‐min transects required ranged from 5 to 40, with a total sample time for each individual species of 0.82–7.16 h. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Removal of the Invasive Shrub,Lonicera Maackii,from Riparian Forests Influences Headwater Stream Biota and Ecosystem Function

Riparian forests and streams are interlinked by cross‐system subsidies and alterations of the terrestrial environment can have substantial effects on aquatic biota and ecosystem function. In the Midwestern USA, the exotic shrub Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) has successfully invaded many riparian habitats, creating near‐monocultures in some locations. This terrestrial invasion has strong potential to modify cross‐system subsidies and impact stream ecosystems. We removed L. maackii from a riparian forest to assess impacts on the aquatic environment. In August 2010, removal occurred along a 150 m stream reach, 10 m downstream of a non‐removal reach, before natural leaf senescence. Over 74 days, in‐stream leaf litter [organic matter (OM)] was collected weekly from plots located in riffles (five/reach). Benthic algal biomass, above stream canopy cover, and macroinvertebrate density were measured for 18 months. L. maackii removal was associated with decreased canopy cover and a significant increase in total in‐stream leaf OM in early autumn (P < 0.05). Removal also differentially influenced the timing and abundance of specific leaf litter genera within the stream (P < 0.05). Macroinvertebrate density was significantly higher in the removal reach, especially during autumn 1 year after removal (P = 0.0294). In both reaches, macroinvertebrate density peaks lagged behind benthic algal biomass peaks. In summary, the removal of an invasive riparian shrub influenced the timing, deposition, quality and abundance of leaf litter habitat into a headwater stream, ostensibly driving bottom‐up effects on aquatic primary producer biomass and the macroinvertebrate community. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Influence of Logjams on Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) Concentrations on the Lower Roanoke River,a Large Sand‐Bed River

This study examines the relation between logjams and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) on the alluvial sand‐bed lower Roanoke River. Disparate data sets from previous bank erosion, fisheries, and large wood studies were used to compare the distribution of largemouth bass with logjam frequency. Logjams are related to the frequency of bank mass wasting increasing from near an upstream dam to the middle reach of the study segment and then decreasing as the river approaches sea level. The highest concentration of largemouth bass and logjams was in the middle reach (110 fish per hour and 21 jams per km). Another measure of largemouth bass distribution, fish biomass density (g h^?1), had a similar trend with logjams and was a better predictor of fish distribution versus logjams (R² = 0.6 and 0.8 and p = 0.08 and 0.02 for fish per hour and g h^?1 versus logjam, respectively). We theorize that the preference for adult bass to congregate near logjams indicates the use of the jams as feeding areas. The results of a principal component analysis indicate that fish biomass concentration is much more related to logjam frequency than channel geometry (width, depth, and bank height), bed grain size, bank erosion, or turbidity. The results of this research support recent studies on in‐channel wood and fisheries: Logjams appear to be important for maintaining, or increasing, both largemouth bass numbers and total biomass of fish in large eastern North American rivers. Persistent logjams, important as habitat, exist where relatively undisturbed river reaches allow for bank erosion inputs of wood and available anchoring locations. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Instream flows and the decline of riparian cottonwoods along the Yakima River,Washington, USA

Under pre‐settlement conditions the Yakima River in Washington state, USA was characterized by multiple channels, complex aquifers and extensive riparian cottonwood forests. Subsequent implementation of headwater dams to supply irrigation water has altered river and floodplain processes critical to the cottonwoods and associated riparian vegetation. In this study, we analysed hydrology and floodplain forests and especially the dominant black cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa) along sequential reaches of the Yakima River. Elevations were surveyed and vegetation inventoried along cross‐sectional belt transects, and cottonwood tree ring interpretations investigated historic associations between river hydrology and cottonwood establishment and growth. We analysed hydrographs relative to the apparent episodes of cottonwood recruitment and applied a quantitative model for seedling colonization that required: (1) floods, disturbance flows to produce barren nursery sites, and subsequent flows for seedling (2) establishment and (3) survival. In contrast to earlier conditions, flow patterns after the 1960s have generally been unfavourable for cottonwood recruitment although some cottonwood colonization has occurred in association with physical disturbance from gravel mining. With recent flow regimes, regulated flows along upper reaches maintain the river near bank‐full throughout the growing season, thus inundating suitable seedling recruitment sites. Downstream, irrigation withdrawals reduce the river stage, resulting in seedling establishment at low elevations that are lethally scoured by subsequent high flows. These regulated flow regimes have not hindered growth of established trees, but have reduced the recruitment of cottonwoods, and particularly disfavoured females, thus altering sex ratios and producing skewed cottonwood population age and gender structures. The cottonwood decline has also been associated with other changes in riparian plant community composition, including the encroachment of invasive weeds. Based on this ecohydrologic analysis we discuss flow adjustments that could rejuvenate cottonwood forests along the Yakima River. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF NITRIFICATION RATES IN FORESTED FLOODPLAIN WETLAND SOILS OF UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER POOL 8

Overbank flooding is thought to be a critical process controlling nitrogen retention and cycling. Yet, studies aimed at quantifying these effects, specifically nitrification, are relatively few. In this study, we investigated the effects of season and flood frequency on soil nitrification rates in forested floodplains of Upper Mississippi River, Pool 8. Samples were collected from three plots within each site in April, August and November 2006. Plots were equally divided among three flood frequency categories as follows: rare, moderate and frequent based on elevation and flood probability model. We found a significant difference in nitrification rates among flood frequency categories as follows: rare > moderate > frequent (F = 4.49, p < 0.01) and over season: spring > summer > autumn (F = 8.88, p < 0.01). Regression for all samples showed that elevation, NH₄‐N, bulk density and soil temperature explained a moderate amount of variation in nitrification rates (R² = 0.29, p < 0.01). Models for moderately flooded, spring, summer and autumn samples improved when analysed individually. The absence of a correlation between nitrification rates and hydrology limits our ability to predict rates based on hydrology alone. The model based on elevation and season allows us to estimate nitrification rates with moderate confidence (R² = 0.27, p < 0.01). A rough calculation of forest floodplain nitrification rates suggests that 473 mt of NO₃‐N are produced annually, about 0.5% of Pool 8 total annual NO₃‐N budget. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mortality of riparian box elder from sediment mobilization and extended inundation

To explore how high flows limit the streamward extent of riparian vegetation we quantified the effects of sediment mobilization and extended inundation on box elder (Acer negundo) saplings along the cobble‐bed Gunnison River in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument, Colorado, USA. We counted and aged box elders in 144 plots of 37.2 m², and combined a hydraulic model with the hydrologic record to determine the maximum shear stress and number of growing‐season days inundated for each plot in each year of the record. We quantified the effects of the two mortality factors by calculating the extreme values survived during the lifetime of trees sampled in 1994 and by recounting box elders in the plots following a high flow in 1995. Both mortality factors can be modeled as threshold functions; box elders are killed either by inundation for more than 85 days during the growing season or by shear stress that exceeds the critical value for mobilization of the underlying sediment particles. Construction of upstream reservoirs in the 1960s and 1970s reduced the proportion of the canyon bottom annually cleared of box elders by high flows. Furthermore, because the dams decreased the magnitude of high flows more than their duration, flow regulation has decreased the importance of sediment mobilization relative to extended inundation. We use the threshold functions and cross‐section data to develop a response surface predicting the proportion of the canyon bottom cleared at any combination of flow magnitude and duration. This response surface allows vegetation removal to be incorporated into quantitative multi‐objective water management decisions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lost in space,the sequel: spatial sampling issues with 1‐D PHABSIM

The Physical Habitat Simulation System (PHABSIM) is a popular method for evaluating the habitat value of a stream in terms of a statistic, weighted usable area (WUA). Usually, PHABSIM is used with one‐dimensional (1‐D) hydraulic models, and curves of WUA over discharge are calculated at transects and combined to produce a composite curve. Curves of WUA over discharge are often presented as evidence in proceedings to determine instream flow requirements, so the reliability of these curves is important. Representing a reach of stream with transects introduces ordinary statistical questions: is the sample of transects unbiased, and is it large enough to produce usefully precise estimates? Unfortunately, these questions are seldom considered in PHABSIM studies, even though most PHABSIM studies characterize streams with fewer than 15 transects. Moreover, transect locations usually are selected deliberately, so estimates of WUA will usually be biased. This paper extends an earlier analysis of the uncertainty in composite WUA curves with a much larger set of transect curves, with more analysis of uncertainty in the shape of the WUA curves, and with a different method for simulating errors in estimates of WUA at the transects. The results show that even with larger than usual numbers of transect curves, the precision of composite WUA curves is likely to be poor, especially if there are errors in the transect WUA curves. I also offer suggestions regarding sampling, and for estimating the number of transects that might be needed to achieve a given level of precision in WUA estimates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impacts of different weed cutting practices on macrophyte species diversity and composition in a Danish stream

Various effects of stream management on biotic communities have been suggested on the basis of observations and investigations in regularly managed streams throughout Europe, but only very sparse information is available about if and how stream management can be combined with maintaining a natural and diverse stream flora. Our study was carried out to investigate how weed cutting practice and frequency can affect macrophyte communities to provide knowledge for future decisions regarding management in streams. We chose an experimental approach and applied four different weed cutting practices (cutting full width, central channel, diagonal channels and no cutting) and frequencies within one stream reach for four years. We found only very limited changes over the four years in overall macrophyte diversity parameters following different management practices and there were no changes in macrophyte diversity parameters either as a function of the weed cutting frequency or method applied. In contrast we found directional changes in macrophyte composition following frequent cuttings of either the whole stream channel or a less comprehensive cutting of only one central channel for four years. In both cases the macrophyte communities changed towards a more Ranunculus dominated community while Potamogeton natans became less important in the community. This change seemed to reflect a higher tolerance of Ranunculus towards disturbance. On the basis of these results, we recommend that the management frequency in streams is limited and, if several cuttings are needed to prevent bank over‐flow, cutting in several narrow channels is preferable to cutting in one central channel as directional changes in plant communities are avoided. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄河源区弯曲河流滨河植被与河湾迁移的关系

为了解滨河植被对河湾横向迁移的作用,以及河湾迁移对滨河植被群落分布的影响,对黄河源区兰木错曲弯曲河段崩塌块、凹岸植被生物量和凸岸植被多样性进行现场调查统计,给出了河湾迁移速率的估算方法。结果表明:其迁移速率与凹岸植被生物量呈指数关系;河湾凸岸边滩的泥沙沉积在不同重现期洪水作用下,形成不同的植被条带,对应于5种典型的植被群落;河湾的横向迁移对滨河植被生态系统具有调节作用,形成一种牧草先增多后减少再增多的草场更新机制,原生演替不断循环进行,以维持草场的长期可持续放牧功能。     

Vegetation development and restoration potential of drained reservoirs following dam removal in Wisconsin

Dam removal is potentially a powerful tool for river and riparian restoration. However, long‐term studies on the fate of former reservoirs do not exist, limiting assessment of the utility of dam removal as a means of riparian restoration. We took advantage of the decades‐long legacy of dam removals in Wisconsin to determine human uses of drained reservoirs and to evaluate vegetation establishment and species replacement at these sites. More than half of the 30 dam removal sites in southern Wisconsin over the past 47 years were used as commercial areas, parks and agricultural land, and active riparian restoration occurred on only two sites. For the 13 sites that were allowed to revegetate on their own, plants established in the first growing season and cover was very high at all sites in 2001. Species diversity and frequency (defined as percentage of sampled quadrats where a species is present) of trees were positively correlated with time since removal. No relationship existed between site age and frequencies of other growth forms, nor were there significant relationships between site age and the number or frequency of introduced species. However, mean frequency of introduced species was 75% per site and several sites were dominated by the introduced grass Phalaris arundinacea. Frequency of P. arundinacea was negatively correlated with number of native forbs, and lowest species diversity occurred on sites dominated by P. arundinacea. Ordination analyses revealed substantial site‐to‐site variation in vegetation that was weakly associated with gradients of site location, age, area, and soil phosphorus. Thus, temporal vegetation dynamics following dam removal were site‐specific. Rapid revegetation demonstrates the potential of these sites for riparian restoration. However, if dam removal is used as a means of restoring native riparian communities, then approaches must be tailored to individual sites and will need to focus on techniques to minimize establishment of aggressive invading species. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

向家坝水电站不同修复模式边坡土壤生物量研究

以向家坝水电站工程扰动区2处不同修复模式样地以及1处天然林样地土壤为对象,研究了不同修复模式边坡土壤理化性质及微生物量,以揭示该工程扰动区不同修复模式对土壤质量的影响。结果表明,天然林样地土壤微生物量和有机碳含量均高于人工修复边坡;土壤p H值从大到小为植被混凝土基材、客土喷播、天然林。相关分析显示,土壤微生物量与有机碳呈相关性,表明向家坝工程扰动区边坡土壤微生物量与土壤有机质紧密相关;土壤C/N与有机碳呈显著正相关,说明向家坝水电站坝址扰动区不同边坡土壤C/N的变化主要由有机碳决定。     

Identifying the natural flow regime and the relationship with riparian vegetation for two contrasting western Australian rivers

The natural flow regime and the relationship between flows and riparian vegetation are described for sites on both the Blackwood River in south‐western Australia and the Ord River in north‐western Australia. Analysis of long‐term flow data showed the historic mean monthly river discharge for the Blackwood River is strongly seasonal and highly predictable with generally low variability each month. The Ord River showed a strong seasonality of flows with about 92% of the (total) yearly flow occurring between December and March. Flow variability was very high (e.g. coefficient of variation >100% for all months) but highly predictable, with this mostly attributed to low but constant dry‐season flows. Water depth, duration of flood events and the number of flood events per year show a significant correlation with aspects of the riparian vegetation within experimental vegetation plots. Results highlight the strong relationship between floristics, life form structure and population dynamics with stream hydrology. On the Blackwood River, species richness and cover of shrubs reduced with increased duration and frequency of flooding, while cover of exotic species and annual herbs increased with increased flooding. Germination of tree seedlings was not influenced by flood regime but size class of tree species increased with flooding frequency. On the Ord River, species richness was not influenced by flooding regime. However, cover of perennial grasses increased with flooding frequency whilst cover of shrubs decreased. There was no relationship between flooding and seedling establishment whilst tree size class decreased with increased flooding. The methods described here can be used to compare the response of different components of the riparian vegetation to different fluvial regimes (e.g. because of impoundment and abstraction). This technique can be expanded for the management of riparian zones and planning rehabilitation programmes. It may also be useful for improving the ecological knowledge base for setting environmental flows in regulated systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Management of vegetation encroachment by natural and induced channel avulsions: A physical model

Flow regulation and water abstractions may change the complex relationship between river hydraulics, morphology, and riparian vegetation. As a result, rivers are likely to decrease their dynamics, increase the amount of vegetation, and modify their habitat structure. Flood events provide a natural mechanism for removal of invasive vegetation and recreation of natural floodplain habitats. This work aims at evaluating and quantifying how gravel‐bed braided rivers naturally control vegetation encroachment through morphological processes and the impact of both naturally occurring and induced avulsions. Flume experiments were conducted in a 24‐m‐long x 1.6‐m‐wide channel filled with well‐sorted sand and constant longitudinal gradient at 0.01 m/m. Once a braided network developed, the flume was seeded with Eruca sativa at a density of 1.5 seeds/cm² and grown until an approximate height of 1.1 cm. Experiments evaluated low‐, medium‐, and large‐flood events and documented morphological changes and impacts to vegetation at four intervals during the experiments. High‐resolution images captured approximately 3 m above the flume were used to produce accurate Structure‐from‐Motion‐derived topography and orthoimagery (average errors 2 mm). Vegetation dynamics were observed to be highly variable and depend on local morphological changes and bank erosion. Discharge is the first‐order control on vegetation removal, but our results show that occurrence of avulsions significantly increases vegetation removal. The experiments highlight that a relatively small amount of sediment relocation can be an effective tool to induce avulsions and reduce vegetation encroachment on regulated rivers.     

Soil seed banks of degraded riparian zones in southeastern Australia and their potential contribution to the restoration of understorey vegetation

Although soil seed banks are understood to be integral to the vegetation dynamics and restoration of many ecosystems, little is known of their role in riparian zones. In this study, we investigated soil seed banks of riparian zones of contrasting condition in an agricultural landscape and evaluated their potential to influence riparian restoration. We examined the composition and structure of germinable soil seed banks along lateral gradients from stream channels in both cleared and wooded riparian zones of three lowland creeks within the Goulburn Broken catchment in temperate southeastern Australia. Environmental correlates of soil seed bank characteristics and similarity to extant vegetation were also examined. We found an abundant and species‐rich soil seed bank mostly comprising propagules of perennial rushes and sedges and annual and perennial grasses with many species of annual forbs. While the majority of identifiable germinants and species were native, exotic species were common at all locations. Soil seed bank composition was relatively homogeneous among streams and along lateral gradients from the channel. Riparian condition (i.e. cleared or wooded), however, had a strong influence on soil seed bank composition and structure with cleared reaches containing more species, more germinable annual grasses and higher total numbers of germinable seeds. Soil seed bank composition was correlated with site openness suggesting that extant vegetation structure plays an important role in soil seed bank dynamics. Recruitment from the in situ soil seed bank will help restore only some components of the riparian plant community and may hinder restoration by introducing undesirable species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of Direct and Indirect Boundary Shear Stress Measurements along Vegetated Streambanks

Estimates of boundary shear stress along vegetated streambanks are needed to predict streambank fluvial erosion. Because fluvial shear stress cannot be directly measured in the field, reliable estimation techniques using field instrumentation are needed. This study evaluated local bank shear stress estimation methods applicable to sloping, vegetated streambanks. Two reaches of a second order stream were modelled in a flume using a fixed‐bed Froude‐scale modelling technique. One reach was dominated by dense shrubs while the other reach was located in a mature forest. Direct measurements of local bank shear stress using a hot‐film anemometer were compared to estimates based on velocity measurements (logarithmic method, Reynolds stresses, and turbulent kinetic energy). For channels with no or widely spaced vegetation, the velocity‐based estimates underestimated the bank shear stress due to secondary flow contributions. For banks with dense vegetation, Reynolds stresses and turbulent kinetic energy estimates were statistically similar to direct measurements on average, but substantial error occurred when making point comparisons. Velocity‐based estimates generally over predicted bank stress in areas of high shear at the vegetation edge and underpredicted stress within dense vegetation. Ultimately, results suggest that none of tested techniques can be broadly applied to streambanks, and flow structure is critical in selecting the appropriate estimation technique. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新水沙情势下长江中下游干流岸线保护研究——以扬中市2017年江堤崩岸治理为例

近十几年来随着水沙情势的显著变化,长江中下游干流崩岸险情频发,加强崩岸治理和岸线保护是沿江防洪安全和经济发展的重要保障。在梳理三峡水库蓄水以来坝下游水沙情势变化、河道冲刷和崩岸情况的基础上,以2017年11月江苏省扬中市江堤崩岸为例,分析崩岸段近期河道演变特征和地勘资料,认为河槽持续冲刷下切贴岸及二元土质结构河岸是崩塌的主要原因,而2016~2017年连续大洪水加了快崩岸的发生。崩岸发生后立即实施了窝塘抢护并修筑临时挡水子堤,随后实施完成干堤复建和窝塘上下游岸线守护工程,实现了2018年成功度汛。此次崩岸的特点和原因在长江中下游较为典型,对崩岸治理与岸线保护具有启示作用。     

Vegetation community response to hydrologic and geomorphic changes following dam removal

Dam removal can restore fish passage, natural flow regimes, sediment transport in streams, dispersal of organic matter, and drift of aquatic insects. However, dam removal also impacts the riparian vegetation, with both immediate and delayed responses. In this study, we measure vegetation change at the Merrimack Village Dam site on the Souhegan River in Merrimack, NH, USA. The August 2008 removal caused a ~3‐m drop in water level and rapid erosion of impounded sediment, with ~50% removed in the first 3 months. Terrace, floodplain, and wetland communities were surveyed in summer 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2015. Temporal change was quantified using Analysis of Similarity on the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity matrix. Only herbaceous vegetation closest to the river channel and in the off‐channel wetland changed significantly. The herbaceous plots directly adjacent to the impoundment eroded to bare sand in 2009, but by 2014, the original riparian fringe community had re‐established in the newly developed floodplain. Between 2007 and 2014, the off‐channel wetland area changed from aquatic species to a stable terrestrial community that persisted without significant change in 2015. The vegetation response was greatest in areas with the largest geomorphic and hydrologic change. These included the channel margin where erosion and bank slumping created an unstable scarp. The mid‐channel island and off‐channel wetland were strongly affected by the lowered water table. However, large unvegetated areas never persisted nor did the areal coverage of invasive species expand, which are two frequent concerns of dam removal stakeholders.     

Spring Distribution and Abundance of Larval Fishes in the St. Marys River,With a Note on Potential Effects of Freighter Traffic on Survival of Eggs and Larvae

Larval fishes were collected at seven transects in the St. Marys River from late April to late May, 1985, to determine potential effects of extending the winter navigation season on spawning success and survival. Larval lake herring (Coregonus artedii) 8 to 25 mm occurred in densities of 0 to 1,450 larvae/1,000 m³ and were most commonly found in shallow water (1 to 2 m). Most lake herring hatching occurred during late April to early May, the first 3 wk after ice break-up, but there was no distinct hatching peak. Lake whitefish (C. clupeaformis) larvae, 12 to 23 mm, with densities of 0 to 600/1,000 m³, were most common at 1 m being collected at all transects, except the transect in the Edison Hydropower Canal which passes Lake Superior water into the river. Densities of the two coregonine species were similar to densities observed in important nursery areas of Lake Huron. However, the contribution of lake herring to the river population is not known. Burbot (Lota lota) larvae were common temporally and spatially, with higher abundances in the channel. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) larvae were absent in April and early May, and abundant in late May. Lake herring, lake white-fish, and burbot have the greatest probability of being affected by the proposed extension of the navigation season through resuspension of sediments, dislodgment of eggs, and premature emergence of larvae.